There are plenty of uses of baking soda, but its medicinal properties are probably the most pronounced. Over the years, baking soda for bloating has been popular amongst many people suffering from stomach-related conditions such as indigestion, acid reflux, and gas.
The reason behind the remedy’s immense popularity is probably its effectiveness. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate reacts with the acids present in the stomach to produce carbon dioxide and other gases. These gases are passed out of the system through belching and flatulence, thereby bringing relief to the patient.
However, the situation may become even more uncomfortable if you are unable to expel the gas from your body. If that is the case, you might have to resort to conventional medicine for relief.
How Does Baking Soda Help with Bloating?
The human stomach is expandable, and it stretches during the consumption of food. With every single bite of food we consume, we also take in some air. Trouble begins when we eat the food too quickly, consume an excess of fizzy drinks, or smoke while eating.
This can lead to a build-up of gases in the stomach, which cause discomfort and indigestion. Your stomach expands even further due to all the gases present inside it, and the only solution to this is letting the gas out.
When you use baking soda for gas and bloating(1), the product reacts with the stomach acids, particularly hydrochloric acid. Since baking soda is largely sodium bicarbonate, it reacts with the hydrochloric acid to produce carbon dioxide. The increased levels of gas in the stomach will trigger belching and flatulence, thus expelling all the remaining air in the stomach as well.
[Also Read: How to Treat Bloating Naturally]
How to Use Baking Soda for Bloating?
The method to use baking soda and water for treating bloating is pretty simple.
Procedure:
1. All you need to do is combine ½ tsp of baking soda to a cup of warm water.
2. Drink this concoction and wait for a few minutes.
3. It is essential that you stick to the recommended dosage of baking soda, as consuming more of it can amplify your discomfort.
[Also Read: Surprising Benefits of Baking soda ]
Food Products that Contain Baking Soda?
Sodium bicarbonate, i.e., baking soda, is a naturally occurring compound, but it is not usually found in fruits and vegetables. Typically, the highest doses of sodium bicarbonate can be found in baked goods and fizzy drinks. This is because the purpose of baking soda is to release carbon dioxide upon reacting with weak acids.
In baked goods, the released carbon dioxide acts as a leavening agent, making cake batter and cookie dough rise as it bakes. In fizzy drinks and soda pops, it creates the “fizz” by rushing out of the bottle when opened.
However, if you are trying to take baking soda to treat bloating, you should take it in its natural state for maximum effect.
[Also Read: Home Remedies for Bloating]
Possible Dangers and Side Effects
Using baking soda for treating bloating is not without side effects.
- Pregnant women and children should not drink this product without consulting a doctor first.
- You should not consume baking soda if you’re feeling too full, as the increase in gas in the stomach will only worsen your discomfort. It is best if you use a measuring spoon to avoid the risk of overdose.
- Other problems that can occur due to an excess of sodium bicarbonate in the body including calcium absorption interference (poor absorption of calcium in the body) and elevated levels of sodium in the blood.
- If you use baking soda to treat bloating(2) frequently, it can lead to kidney problems.
- If you exceed the recommended dosage of baking soda by a large margin, you run the risk of rupturing the lining of your stomach. Although this situation is rare, it can happen if you consume excess amounts of baking soda.
If you have taken baking soda to treat your indigestion, you should consult your doctor immediately if the condition worsens.
This means that if you start developing symptoms like increased thirst, nausea, cramps, vomiting, stomach ache, and the like, you should immediately consult your doctor and ask for help.
Baking soda for a bloated stomach is not a new concept. The remedy has been around for ages, and the results have mostly been successful. However, if you have not tried this remedy before, you should consult a doctor first. Considering the side effects that come with overconsumption of baking soda, it is better to be safe than sorry.
[ Read: ACV to Treat Bloating ]
FAQs
1. Are baking soda and baking powder the same thing?
No, they are not. Baking powder and baking soda are entirely two different things. So kindly do not consume baking powder instead of baking soda.
2. Do we have to brush teeth after consuming baking soda?
No, it is not required. As a matter of fact, baking soda helps in whitening the teeth when mixed with lemon juice.
